3Com 3C886 OfficeConnect 56K LAN Modem

Rating:
Summary: 56k Lan Modem is much better than expected.
Review: Upon connecting this thing up I was pleasantly surprised, because everything worked the first time. It even dialed the home website to see if a firmware upgrade was available and I then received the new feature set which included support for up to 25 users. The web browser (password protected) set up, gives the network administrator complete control over user defined access and includes multiple ISP setups. A complete set of browser accessible manual troubleshooting/maintenance functions is included. This is probably the only PC related product I have ever purchased that I was completely (and more) satisfied. I am right now considering a DSL upgrade because DSL in now available in my area, but until I find a router which has all of the features of this unit, it will be hard for me to change. If you are in an area where you cannot get high speed DSL or cable access than this is problably the best thing going. I find that I get close to 56k reliably on downloads from my ISP. The multi-user functionality works flawlessly. One drawback is you will need to use an ISP which gives you the DNS settings which is not something the free ISP's like to do. AOL is also not supported by direct dial connection to AOL numbers (must be connected via TCP/IP to the LAN modem through another ISP), but if you're like me you don't want to use AOL anyway.